Mailbox



Dec. 2, 1947. u, STALEY 2,431,838

MAILBOX Filed June 7, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 v [/v VENTOR Passed ZZJZa/qg ATTORNEY Dec. 2, 1947. R. u. STALEY MAILBOX Filed June '7, 1946 2 ShegtS-Shet 2 A TTORNEY Patented Dec. 2, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT oFnc MAILBOX Russell U. Staley, Portland, Oreg.

Application June 7, 1946, Serial No. 675,026

4 Claims. 1

This invention relates generally to mail boxes and particularly to a suburban mail box.

The main object of this invention is to provide a suburban mail box especially adapted for homes whose boxes are at the road side in front of the home and also for R. F. D. patrons living on highways traversed by R. F. D, carriers.

The second object is to produce a mail box of the class described, having certain characteristics which may be especially desirable from the standpoint of the carrier as well as the patron.

The third object is to provide a mail box f the class described, having a chime or other announcing feature connected thereto which would in dicate when either of the doors of the mail box has been opened.

The fourth object is to construct a mail box of the class described having a unique signal flag which is easy to operate and easily seen from either direction.

The fifth object is to construct a mail box of the class described, having a large opening at one end whose closure is inclined toward a closing position and also spring urged in that direction; also, this closure is provided with a smaller mail inserting opening whose closure merely depends upon gravity to hold same in a closed position.

I accomplish these and other objects in the manner set forth in the following specification, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the mail box showing same mounted on a post.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the mail box.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken along the line 3-3 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a transversed section taken along the line 5-5 in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal view taken along the line 56 in Fig. 4.

Similar numbers of reference refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring in detail to the drawing, there is shown a base board consisting of the side members l0 and the head members across which is placed ametal floor l2.

The vertical sides l3 extend from the bottom of the members In and I to the lower edges M of a rounded roof l5. The rear end of the box is closed.

The sides I3 have their forward edges I1 extending somewhat in advance of the front edge of the front member ll. Mounted on a horizontal pin I 9, which is supported by the vertical sides I 3, in that portion which lies in front of and below the top of the member |l,i's the outwardly inclined lower portion 200i the large door 2 I, whose upper portion 22 is constructed to fit the roof l5, which is provided with a stop 23, against which the door 2| stops.

It will be noted that the stop 23 is somewhat outside of the plane passing through the vertical axis of the pin l9, so that the door 2| swings away from the roof [5 as it opens. Springs 24 are provided on the pin l9, and react between the front edge l8 and the underside 2|], and serve to urge the door 2| toward a closed position and also to absorb the shock of the opening movement which i limited in a downward direction by means of a stop 25, which is secured to the member l by means of the rivet 26.

The door 2| is provided With an opening 21, having an upwardly and inwardly inclined sill 28, which is connected by the sides 29 to the door 2|. Along the top of the opening 21, on the inner sides of the portion 22, are formed the lugs 30, to which are hinged the lugs 3| of the small door 32, which is normally inclined and rests along the edge 33 of the sides 29.

Along the bottom of the outer side of the door 32 is formed a ledge 34, which serves as a water shed causing any water which may strike against the door 32 to run 01f along the top side of the sill 28.

Mounted on the back of the door 32 is a lug 35, on which is secured by means of a cotter pin 36, a U shaped frame 31, of insulating material. Suspended in the frame 31 is a metallic pendulum 38, which is electrically connected by means of a wire 39 to one side of an alarm circuit, not shown, while the wire 40 is connected to the binding screw 4|, which is mounted in the frame 31, in the path of the pendulum 38. The operation of this portion of the device is as follows:

When the door 32 is opened by pushing against the front outer side, the pendulum 38 engages the binding screw 4|, and closes the circuit to the alarm, not shown. If, on the other hand, the mail carrier opens the door 2 I, by pulling on the knob 42 which is attached thereto, the pendulum 33 also contacts the binding screw 4|.

On top of the roof I5 is mounted a U shaped bracket 43, Whose feet 44 are secured to the roof I5 by means of the rivets 45. A slot 46 is formed across the top of the bracket 43 to receive the stem 41 of the signal plate 48. On the lower end of the stem 41 are formed the laterally turned pivots 49, which are slidable in the slot 50 within 3 the bracket 43, and at the same time prevent the removal of the stem 41 from the bracket 43.

It will be noted that the signal flag provided is unique in that it is easier to see on top of the box than are those mounted on the side. Also, it is easier for the carrier to reach the signal which in down position does not lie flat against the top of the box thereby making it easier to tip the flag upward so that it Will settle automatically to an upright position, once started in that direction. The sameis"also true of the lowering of the signal it being only necessary to start the lowering of the movement and gravity will finish it.

It will also be noted that the mounted carrier has to operate from the middle of a seat and that this box will assist him because the outer door is swung off center allowing it to swing closer to the box when open. This permits the carriers vehicle to draw nearer to the box. The box stops in an outwardly position against the stop 25, thus avoiding need of reaching down to close it. Also, when in an open position, the off center or unbalanced hinging permits the door to lie below the level of the box bottom; thus, the inwardly opening door 32 is substantially below the level of the box bottom and permits free entry of larger pieces of mail matter.

I claim:

1. A mail box of the class described, having a large door sloping inwardly atits upper end forming a closure at one end thereof, said door having a hinge along the bottom thereof adapted to permit said door to swing outwardly and having a spring thereon adapted to urge same inwardly toward a closed position, said large'door having an opening formed therein, the sides of which extend inwardly into said box, the edges of said sides sloping downwardly into said box from the upper end of said opening, a small door for said opening hinged along its upper'edge to said large door, a downwardly and outwardly sloping sill for said opening, together with a water shed formed on the outer side of said small door extendin above the upper edge of said sill.

2. In a mail box, the combination of an unbaldoor adapted to close when either of said doors is opened.

4. A mail box having a large door at one end thereof, a hinge at the lower end of said door, said door sloping upwardly and outwardly from its point of hinge fastening and then inclining inwardly to a point outside of a vertical plane passing through said hinge, when said door is in a closed position, said door having a spring to urge the same inwardly toward a closed position, the center portion of said door having an opening formed therein provided with inturned sides and an upturned sill, the innermost edges of which occupy an inwardly and downwardly slopin plane extending from the upper edge of the door opening, a smaller door hinged to said first mentioned door, adapted to form a closure for said door opening, said small door sloping in an opposite direction than first mentioned large door, and a pendulum switch mounted on said small door, normally open and-adapted to close when-either of said doors is open.

RUSSELL U. STALEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,068,275 -Luss 'Jan. 19, 1937 1,442,578 Landrum -1 Jan, 16, 1923 1,808,235 Lang 'June 2, 1931 745,749 Wheeler Dec. 1, 1903 1,598,096 Maserang- Aug. 31, 1926 

